Published: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 at 12:33 a.m.

Rachel Parker, 8, arrives in her classroom in teacher Jackie Rogers' third-grade class at Moundville Elementary School on Monday morning. "We got off to an excellent start," said school Principal Ronnie Garner.

Staff Photo | Porfirio Solorzano

That's 217 fewer students than the first day last year, but still 65 more than when the school year ended, according to school attendance records.

"We're down approximately 200 students. However, the numbers continue to change throughout the course of the day, and I anticipate them to change throughout the course of the week," county schools Superintendent Frank Costanzo said.

Carl Montgomery, director of attendance for Tuscaloosa City Schools, credited the city system's higher numbers to television and radio spots aired over the last few weeks that encouraged students to be present when the first bell rang.

"Based on these attendance numbers, I'd say more than half of our schools had more students today than they did the first day last year," Montgomery said.

Touting a slogan of "Got to Be There," school officials warned students and their parents that skipping the first day could cost them their class schedule and the school system money.

City Superintendent Joyce Levey said that people she ran into at local businesses told her they were aware of the campaign.

"When they started seeing it and hearing it, they said they were going to have their children there," Levey said.

State education officials have said the system's claim that it loses $108 a day for each absent student is not entirely accurate.

The state funds school systems based on the average number of students present during the first 40 days of school, known as average daily membership.

Despite the public awareness campaign and the increase in first-day attendance, the city school board office was crowded with families waiting until Monday to enroll.

Some had moved to Tuscaloosa from other states and were surprised to find out school started so early. Most said they had no idea it would take so much time to sign their children up for school.

"I've seen the signs telling you how they've got to be there or they get in trouble. Yeah, right. How are they supposed to be there when we're having to sit here?" said Patti Sanford while her son, Timothy, paced back and forth.

"I've never really wanted to go to school, but today I really wanted to go, with it being my first day of high school and everything," he said.

Rosa Smith, trying to transfer her grandson from Greene County Schools, held a piece of paper with the number 59 scribbled on the top -- her place in a line that stretched to 85 by the end of the day.

"There ain't no telling how long it will take," Smith said. "It may be [today] before he's in school."

<p>The county school system's figures weren't as encouraging, with 16,035 students answering "here" during roll call Monday.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>That's 217 fewer students than the first day last year, but still 65 more than when the school year ended, according to school attendance records.</p><p>"We're down approximately 200 students. However, the numbers continue to change throughout the course of the day, and I anticipate them to change throughout the course of the week," county schools Superintendent Frank Costanzo said.</p><p>Carl Montgomery, director of attendance for Tuscaloosa City Schools, credited the city system's higher numbers to television and radio spots aired over the last few weeks that encouraged students to be present when the first bell rang.</p><p>"Based on these attendance numbers, I'd say more than half of our schools had more students today than they did the first day last year," Montgomery said.</p><p>Touting a slogan of "Got to Be There," school officials warned students and their parents that skipping the first day could cost them their class schedule and the school system money.</p><p>City Superintendent Joyce Levey said that people she ran into at local businesses told her they were aware of the campaign.</p><p>"When they started seeing it and hearing it, they said they were going to have their children there," Levey said.</p><p>State education officials have said the system's claim that it loses $108 a day for each absent student is not entirely accurate.</p><p>The state funds school systems based on the average number of students present during the first 40 days of school, known as average daily membership.</p><p>Despite the public awareness campaign and the increase in first-day attendance, the city school board office was crowded with families waiting until Monday to enroll.</p><p>Some had moved to Tuscaloosa from other states and were surprised to find out school started so early. Most said they had no idea it would take so much time to sign their children up for school.</p><p>"I've seen the signs telling you how they've got to be there or they get in trouble. Yeah, right. How are they supposed to be there when we're having to sit here?" said Patti Sanford while her son, Timothy, paced back and forth.</p><p>"I've never really wanted to go to school, but today I really wanted to go, with it being my first day of high school and everything," he said.</p><p>Rosa Smith, trying to transfer her grandson from Greene County Schools, held a piece of paper with the number 59 scribbled on the top -- her place in a line that stretched to 85 by the end of the day.</p><p>"There ain't no telling how long it will take," Smith said. "It may be [today] before he's in school."</p><p>Johnny Kampis contributed to this report.</p><p>Reach April Wortham at april.wortham@tuscaloosanews.com or 722-0213</p>